Antitank mines



Oct. 27, 1953 J. DUMAS ,7

ANTITANK MINE Filed Jan. 25, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JICQULS 17mm 5 If] Arr/J Oct. 27, 1953 J. DUMAS 2,656,792

ANTITANK MINE Filed Jan. 25. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z/ 2M W l'% M 11 Hill //i I/Z/VTHR Jqca Ms Dam/1s Patented Get. 27, 1953 UITED TEES ANTITANK MINES French company Application January 25, 1949, Serial No. 72,56

In France February 5, 1948 7 Claims.

The present invention has for its object an improved anti-tank mine which is of simple construction so that it can be mass-produced from readily obtainable materials, is very easy to manipulate and operate, is very efiicient and which, furthermore can be set as a trap, is undetectable and, if desired, undismantleable.

Said mine comprises in combination a stationary main firing device and an explosive charge which is movable with respect thereto.

The invention also has for its object a mine of this type wherein an externally controlled auxiliary firing device is provided.

The firing of the charge can therefore be effected either directly by the relative movement of the charge and of the main firing device, produced by a partial crushing of the mine by an endless-track of a tank, or from a distance by means of the auxiliary firing device. The mine can therefore operate indiscriminately either under one of the endless-tracks of a tank (direct firing) or between said tracks (indirect firing).

Other features will become apparent from the ensuing description.

In the accompanying drawings, which are given solely by way of example:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an improved anti-tank mine according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the lower portion of said mine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the lower plug with its auxiliary firing device;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section along the line 45 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a similar section along the line t-t of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the spacing sleeve which supports the charge when inoperative;

Fig. 8 is an elevational View of the lower end of said sleeve;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the plug in which the main firing device is housed. 7

According to the embodiment illustrated, the anti-tank mine according to the invention comprises a body I of cylindro-frusto-conical shape, the axis of which is XX and which is made of a non-metallic substance, for example glass or synthetic material, or of any material impregnated with bituminous substances for example.

Said body 1 is provided with a top 2 which is moulded integral therewith. A groove 3 is pro- 2 vided all round the periphery of said top 2, thereby producing an annular section, the strength of which is reduced to the desired value.

The cylindrical portion of the body I is provided, adjacent its upper end, with a groove #3 in which the end of a protecting spider 5 (Fig. 2) is adapted to be engaged resiliently, said protecting spider being intended to prevent any impacts against the top 2 While the mine is being manipulated.

The body l is provided with a bottom 5 (Fig. 1) which is rendered very rigid by means of radial ribs i and is provided with a central hole 8 (Fig. 2) surrounded by an externally screwthreaded flange 9. Said bottom 5 is fixed to the body I, after the internal elements, which will be described hereinafter, have been mounted therein, by inter-fitting and cementing at it. A handle H made of fabric is provided at the base of the body 5, opposite the bottom 6, to enable the mine to be manipulated, said handle being secured to a band l2 which surrounds said bottom.

Inside the body I thus constructed, is arranged, from top to bottom, first a cellular mass it for example of ebonite sponge or any other spacing device adapted to transmit the pressure of the top 2. Said mass (or other spacing device) which may be cemented to the top 2 bears downwards in the upper conical cavity ab of a vessel It containing an explosive charge H3. The upper cone ab of said vessel 15 is connected by a lateral surface be, which may be cylindrical or slightly frusto-conical and the dimensions of which very nearly correspond to the internal dimensions of the body l, to a lower frusto-conical surface cd which is extended at its lower end by a screw-threaded coupling E8. The vessel i5 is made of a non-metallic material, for example glass, porcelain, or synthetic material.

The'vessel [5 adapted to contain the explosive mass is bears by means of its frusto-conical surface ed against the likewise frusto-conical upper edge E9 of a spacing sleeve 23 concentric to the axis XX. Said sleeve 26 (Figs. 1, '7, 8, 9) is provided at the upper part thereof with longitudinal slits 2| and a circular groove 22 which is intended to form the lines of fracture for the tongues provided between the longitudinal slits 2|.

Extending from its lower edge 23 (Fig. 8) the sleeve 20 is provided with two diametrically opposite slots 24 (Figs. 1, 7 and 8) and, on two sectors at with respect to said slots, said lower edge .5 of the sleeve is provided with inclined teeth (Figs. '7 and 8) By means of its edge 22 the spacing sleeve 20 bears downwards on the body 26 (Figs. 1 and 2) of a plug 27. Said plug 21 is provided, on either side of its body 26, with two screw-threads 28 and 29 which enable it to be screwed into the screw-threaded coupling 9 of the bottom 6 in either of two positions which are reversed with respect to one another.

In the body 26 are provided two mortises 38 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) in each of which is engaged a projection forming a pawl 31 Each pawl-islprovided with a shoulder 32 (Fig.4) which is adapted to bear downwards against a shoulder 33 provided in the mortise 30, by the-actionofeaspring 34 or a resilient pad. Said spring is adapted -to bear against a stop plate 35 housed in the bottom of the bore 28 of the plug 21. Each projection'fil forming a pawl projects from the opposite face of the body '26 in such a manner as to engage between the teeth 25 of the spacing sleeve "20 when the plug 21 is screwed on the screwthreaded coupling 9 by means of its screw-thread 29 as shown in Fig. 10.

The body 26 of the plug 2! is provided with a cavity 36 which, for this position of the plug, is directed downwards. --Said cavity 36 contains an explosive charge '31 which is held in position by the plate 35: said plate may, for example, be cemented round thec'avity36 on the periphery of the corresponding face of the body 26.

The plug 2! is provided radially with anumber of holes 38 (Figs. 1 and 5) each of'which is adapted to accommodate "a detonator '39 that penetrates int'o'the explosive'mass 31. "The-system comprising the explosive 'mass '31 "and the detonators 39 therefore form an auxiliary :firing device. The detonators 39 are adapted 'to 'be connected to a trap device 'or to an actuating device remote from the mine.

The mine is completed by a mainfiring device which is intended to operate in the case in which the 'mine is crushed. Said device comprises a plug 40 (Figs. 1 and 2) "with a central body M and ascrew-threade'd portion which is adapted .to screw on the screw-threaded couplin'g18 of the vessel [5 for the explosive mass [6. The body il forms, in the central portion thereof, a cavity Madapted to accomm'odatea detonator43. "Said detonator is fixed by means of a screw=threaded bush id 'on'a screw-threaded nipple provided at thecentre of a capsule 4B. Said capsule 46 is housed in "the cavity formed by'the plug it]. It contains two bulbs 4"! and fiBQma'de of'glass or other fragile material and containing two products adapted to react on oneanother and form flames (for example -ethyl nitrate and sodiumand/or potassium). The-bulbs 41 and 48 are for example fixed 'on -a plate "49 of cellulose acetate cemented to the "bottomof the capsule -46. Said capsule 46 is provided on the outside with two diametrically "opposite projection '52! (Figs. 1 and 6) ofsuha-length that they can engage in the longitudinal slots 24 of the-spacing sleeve 20. The projections Elliurthermoreengage in notches 5| whichform'h'elicalrampsand'which are provided in the plug '40 (see Fig. 10). The relative orientation of said ramps and of the teeth 25 of the spacing sleeve 20 is such that when said sleeve 2!] tends "to be rotated in the direction of the arrow f (Fig.8) byunscrewing the pIugZ'L'the projections 50'are-carried'alon by *the slots 24 of the-sleeve 20 and move relatively to the ramps 5| in the direction of the arrow f (Fig. 10).

The cup :36 is closed by a plate 52 which is cemented on the lower edge thereof and under said plate is fixed, by cementing or otherwise, a ring or disc 53 which, after mounting as shown 'in Fig. "1, .is located a short distance '6 from the body 25 of the plug 21.

As will be understood, the assembling of the various elements of the mine is efiected with the body -I placed upside-down with its top 2 resting on any support. The mass [3 is first placed in position, then the vessel 15 containing the hollow explosive -'-charge I6 provided with its plug 40 is mounted, and the spacing sleeve 20 is engaged over said plug.

The bottom 6 is then placed in position by fitting it at ID; if necessary, said bottom may be welded or cemented to the body I at 54 (Fig. 1). There only remains to screw the lower plug 2'! which is then in the reverse position to that shown in Fig. 1, theplug'bein screwedby 'means of its screw-thread -28.

When the mine is being laid, the plug 2-1 is unscrewed and the main firing device comprising the detonator Q3 and the capsule =46 with its bulbs M and 38 is placed in position.

The plug 21 is screwedon again after having turned it upside-down, i. e. into the position shown in Fig. 1, so that-the projections 31 thus engage upwards in 'the teeth -25 of the-spacing sleeve 26.

The detonators 39 areconnected to the outside firing device according to 'the known technique for setting anti-=tank mines. The safety spider 5 isremoved and the mine is camouflaged.

Under these conditions, when an'end1ess track of a tank passes over the mine, the pressure exerted'on the "top of same (sa'i'd'pressur'e having to-be at least'of theorder of 'kg. or =more) causes the body i to "fracture at the groove "-3 and 'the top -2, the 'mass 13 *and the vessel 15 containing the explosive'mass l't'to move "downwards.

The lower frusto-conical *fac'e cd of the vessel l5 then exerts a forceonthe"conical-upperedge 1'9 of "the-sleeve "20 of which the blades formed between the grooves 2 I break opposite the weak ened point formed 'by the groove "'22, thereby allowing said vessel 15 to continue its'downward movement.

Said vessel carries with it the plug 41 andthe capsule together with theipl ate 52 and the ring 53. After the travel 6 -(Fig. 2) said ring abuts against the body Z'BoTthe'pIu-g 2'1. the movement continues, the plate 52 breaks andthe ring '53 soon crushes the "bulbs 41 and- 18; the products contained in said bulbs come into "contact'with'one another and, by "reacting, produce flames which fire the detonatordB and then fire the explosive charge I 6.

If, on the other hand, the tank d'oes'not crush the mine as hereinbeiore mentioned, butactuates an adjacent firing device comprising 32.11 igniter of any type, the detonators 39 firethe auxiliary charge "31 and said charge in "turn fires the mine by means of the main 'firing device. In this case the -mine enables the tank 'tobe attacked between its endless-tracks. "It *should be noted that theholes '38 "also enabletra'pping igniters to be-mounte'd.

It should be 'observedthat it is impossible-to dismantle the mine in order to unprimeity-s'ilrce if an attempt is made to unscrew thepluig fl when sameis in theposit-ion of Fig. l, said"pl11 carries with it the spacing sleeve 20 by means of the projections 3| and said sleeve in turn rotates the capsule 46 about the axis XX by means of the slots 24 and the projections 50. During this rotation, the projections 50 have to slide in the direction of the arrow f (Fig. 10) along the ramps 51 of the plug til, thereby producing a relative downward movement of the capsule 46 with respect to said plug and, by encountering the ring 53 and the body 28 of the plug 21, causing the bulbs 4'? and 48 to break; this causes the mine to be fired if the rotary movement of the plug 21 is sufficiently continued.

It should be noted that it is only necessary, on the other hand, before the mine is placed in position, to remove the spacing sleeve 20, in order to render the mine perfectly dismantleable without danger.

In this case, the movable assembly inside the body I bears directly against the body 26 of the plug 21 by means of the ring 53 and it is naturally necessary for the plate 52 to be sufiiciently strong to prevent the mine from being fired by the action of the weight of said assembly.

As can be seen, the mine hereinbefore described has numerous advantages' From the standpoint of an arm proper, it enables, as hereinbefore explained, tanks to be attacked both in their endless tracks and between said endlesstracks, thereby making it a particularly efiicient arm.

This efiiciency is very high, since the body of this mine and the mechanism described are of comparatively light weight, thereby making it possible, for a given weight, to have a, large hollow explosive charge l6.

It should be noted, on the other hand, that after laying and screwing the plug 21 right home, the mine is absolutely water-tight so that it can operate reliably even after a long stay in moist ground.

It should also be noted that the two faces of the plug 21 can be marked quite differently, for example with an inscription, so that a. fused mine cannot be mistaken during manipulation for a non-fused mine.

This mine can be readily manipulated owing to its light total weight and its handle I l which is so arranged that two mines placed opposite one another by their bases can be carried at once.

It is easy to operate: the main and auxiliary firing devices can be readily placed in position and can be fixed with absolute safety by an operator.

Since the body I of the mine and the vessel [5 are made of non-metallic materials, the metal portions are considerably decreased so that they are practically undetectable .by means of the usual magnetic methods.

On the other hand, it may be repeated that:

The mine cannot be unprimed when the spacing sleeve 28 has been retained inside the mine;

It is moreover simple to manufacture; the products of which it is composed can be readily obtained on a restricted market as may be the case in time of war, .all the parts used are obtained directly by moulding, so that it is possible with a very small industrial equipment to eiTect the mass production thereof and so ensure a very low cost of manufacture.

Naturally, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment illustrated and described which has only been chosen by way of example.

Thus, the explosive charge contained in the plug 21 can be replaced by a small charge of d the detonator type connected by means of any fire transmission device to the holes 38 of the plug 21.

Similarly, said plug 21 can obviously be modilied in such a manner that the holes 38 are opposite the cylinder that forms the body of the mine.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Anti-tank mine comprising in combination: a rigid water-proof hollow outer body formed of a side portion, a top connected to said portion by means of a weakened line adapted to break under the load of a, tank and a rigid bottom provided with a central opening, a removable plug secured in said opening, a rigid vessel which is slidably mounted in said side portion under said top and which is provided with a convex bottom having a central aperture, an auxiliar plug secured in said aperture, an explosive charge located in said vessel and in contact with said auxiliary plug, a spacing tube which is interposed between said convex bottom and said removable plug and which is provided with lines of fracture so as to break when said vessel and its charge are urged towards said removable plug by said top detached from said body by a tank passing over the mine and a main firing device located in said spacing tube between said plugs and comprising, from said auxiliary plug to said removable plug, a detonator located in said auxiliary plug, and two devices which are spaced apart from one another and adapted to produce flames by their mutual contact.

2. Anti-tank mine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said devices are constituted the one by two fragile bulbs containing two substances adapted to react on one another and produce flames and the other by a fracturing abutment member for breaking said bulbs when they are moved towards said member.

3. Anti-tank mine as claimed in claim 1 in which said removable plug is provided with two screw-threads on either side of a central body provided with several cavities, an auxiliary firing device, which comprises an explosive charge and at least a detonator, being housed in said cavities, so that said auxiliary firing device may be arranged either inside said hollow outer body in a safety position, the main firing device being then removed, or outside said hollow body in the operative position.

4. Anti-tank mine as claimed in claim 3 further comprising means for causing the mine to burst if an attempt is made to remove said removable plug when it has been secured to said hollow body in the operative position.

5. Anti-tank mine comprising in combination: a rigid water-proof hollow outer body formed of a side portion, a top connected to said portion by means of a weakened line and a rigid bottom having a central opening; a removable plug screw-threaded in said opening; pawls carried by said plug inside said body; a rigid vessel slidably mounted in said side portion and provided with a convex bottom having a central aperture; an explosive charge in said vessel; an auxiliary plug secured in said aperture and provided with helical ramps; a spacing tube which is interposed between said convex bottom and said removable plug and which is provided, on the one hand, with lateral lines of fracture and longitudinal grooves and, on the other hand, at the end of contact with said removable plug, with awe-e teeth :engaging said nawls zand ea. alewice donated :in said dance :and nomprising, :fmm said auxiliary plug to said removable plug, aedetonator located in z-sai'd auxiliary a'plug, a amenable ducezfiames and :3, -fracturing abutment :member in contact-with said removable ;p1ug:;fiorzbrea-king said bulbs when said capsule is imoved towards said member either ;under the @IitiOIlzOf the ex- ;plosive charge urged :towards the bottom .0f said :body' byratank passing overmhe-mineior whenan attemptds made to unscrew the removable plug, :the pawls: rotatingrthensaidspacingtubeiand-the grooves thereof :moving, in com'bination iwiththe ramps of :the auxiliary ,plug, saidi-capsulextowards 'said abutment member.

6. Anti-tank .mine. comprising in .combinatien a rigid water-proof hollow outer .body formed of .a -side portion, 2:3, [top connected to. saideideportion by .means or a weakened dine-adapted 130 break .underthe loadof a tankzand .arigidibottom, a .rigid wessel provided with a econcave "top and a .substantially Jfrusto-conical bottom, Vslitiably mounted. in said rsidepnrltion ,and .eontain- ,ing an explosive.charge,.an.inertmasslhonsedlin saidhollow bodytbetween the itopsrif said ,vessl and of said hollow .bodma spacing ltiihe interbetween said frustomonical bottom=of said acessel :and said migidibottom of .-said outer body,

aspacing tube :being ,provided with longituzdinal aslits aextending from the end which :is in icontact :with :said :bottom and with "a circular rbreaking grooveat the base of :saidsliteeo asto ,ibreak :when said vessel and nits explosive charge zareiurgedtowards said rigid bottom by-said inert nnaseandzthe top ofisaid body after said body-has been brokensby-a' tank passing over themine, and =a :main Efiring device .located said tube and comprisingltwo @artszspaced apart :fromone another.

'7. :Anti-tank mine according to claim .6, where- :in a rremovable protecting {spider "for protecting the mine -during thelmanipuiations rthereof eovers the :top of :said: body to which .itiis fixed by. means of a groove provided in the wall of said-body.

JACQUES DUMAS.

References Cited in the file of this =patent UNITED SIA'.IES .-PATENTS Number Name Date 328,275 :Hunt, ,Aug. -31, i943 2;479;861 .zPass "M-.. Aug. 23., 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number .,Country .Date

771,331 Erance e iNov. 26, 1934 574,053 Great Britain Dec.,,19,l9&5 575,132 GreatBritain Dec.,2l,;];945 

